Best Travel Advice We've Ever Heard - From Those Who Know

Wondering how to get the absolute most out of traveling? Hear from some happy travelers who did the thing!

Here's a few questions we like to ask the healthcare professionals we work with: "What advice would you give to would-be travelers, especially those who are on the fence about traveling? How did you finally decide to try travel nursing? How do you stay calm in the center of the storm? Is travel nursing worth it?" We have gathered some of their absolute best advice and put it all together here!

Taking a travel nursing job can be a little daunting, in particular if you haven’t chatted with an experienced traveler yet. This advice column is directly from our travelers; it could be the next best thing to a friendly conversation with a fellow clinician. Nurses and techs are thoughtful people -- and this is a MUST READ!

While I am new in my field and still learning today, I will offer some humble advice to anyone considering traveling in this field. As you travel, never leave behind your kindness or your genuine personality. Often lost in the nerves and serious nature of the job, I have found that as long as I am myself, offer a genuine smile and remember to be kind and compassionate, it is impossible to fail. I know I am competent, so I never forget to let kindness be the difference between an average tech and great tech.

My advice to those thinking of traveling would be to remember that -- while there are many perks of travel nursing (most would be thinking $$$$$), there are also some trade-offs. Wherever you do it, nursing is hard work, and you maybe taking on challenging assignments and heavier loads. You may not always be able to get the exact position or pay you want. With traveling, you have to weigh the pros and cons of each assignment. Each job is rewarding in its own light. You may have to say goodbye to new friends you've made -- but then again you may get to say hello to old friends along the way. Every assignment brings change, and change is a good thing. My recruiter, Annie, has always been there to help soothe any travel anxieties I’ve had and promptly fix any issues that arise.

My advice for other nurses looking into travel nursing is, DO IT! You can do anything you put your mind to and you know more than you think you know. I feel every nurse should try travel nursing for at least one assignment. It is amazing what you can learn about yourself and I feel like with each and every assignment I learn something new in the realm of nursing.

If you are thinking of traveling, go ahead and take the leap. You won’t regret it! I have made some of my best memories while on assignment. I am enjoying life driving around from state to state with my pups staring out the window. It is scary to take that first step, but your agency, your recruiter, and the people you meet along the way will be there for support. You will discover things about yourself that you have never known. Getting out of my routine has helped me become adaptable throughout my life as a nurse and as a person.

My advice would be to jump in! Don’t let your fears keep you from going outside of your comfort zone. The best advice I can give to a new traveler on an assignment is to be open-minded and adaptable. Every unit will have its own way of doing things and the nurses will have their unique experiences and expectations.

The best thing you can do is come in with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Show your colleagues through your actions that you are proficient in all of your nursing skills and you are there to help! They will warm up to you once they see that you are a strong and competent Nurse and a team player.

I would also advise joining the Meetup app. It is a great way to meet people on a new assignment. Join a group that shares your interests – you never know who you could meet. I have made some genuine connections and had a lot of fun doing various Meetup group events. The same goes for travel nurse Facebook groups. They are a great resource for asking questions, getting leads for housing, and insider tips on various cities and hospitals you may be considering for an assignment.

The biggest difference between being a travel nurse and a staff nurse is the money honestly. I don’t want to sugarcoat it -- that is the truth. We are able to make enough as travelers so that we don’t have to stress over bills as much as a staff nurse. Some advice I have for other nurses considering traveling is to just do it. Jump in there and get your feet wet. Just try it for one or two assignments and just see if you like it. American Traveler has provided me with so many opportunities to grow as a nurse, I absolutely love it and have never regretted traveling!

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Speak to the locals. Find out what places they go to around town and in the surrounding cities. Find out where they go to eat and what activities they do with their families. They'll keep you updated on special events coming up while you’re on assignment. Do everything and try everything they tell you to do. That is how you get the most out of your travel assignment. Just don’t be afraid.

When you think about it, some of your most rewarding experiences started out as things you were a bit afraid to do. Whether it was going skydiving (yikes!), moving to a new town, having children, or even embarking on your nursing career. But you trusted the process, crossed your fingers, and you're so glad you did. Your friendly American Traveler recruiter can tell you about many travelers who were in exactly the same spot you're in now ... be sure to ask them how it worked out!